Hushed Willows vergnügen

It was incredibly fortunate for Lily that Seabreeze was so patient. Without the Seer there, she didn't know how she would have reacted to Mali's retort. Anger rose up within her. . .but for whom? At the boy, certainly, but his words held a certain sting that only truth could provide. He was right--she hadn't been there for him. It hadn't been her job, really, but she should have made the effort. She should have tried.

She took Seabreeze's small dialogue as a moment to turn away, embarrassed tears blurring the corners of her vision. Khali had worried about his parenting skills, but what about her? What sort of mother was she going to be if all it took was one angry little boy to make her cry? What sort of leader was she if someone could toss that accusation at her--and it was true?

Her ears flicked idly toward the sound of the conversation, but she couldn't think about anything but Mali. About how the world had failed these pups so greatly.

I'm sorry, Mali, Lily said, her voice nearly as weary as Seabreeze's. You're right. . .I should have paid more attention to you three, with everything going on. It doesn't do any good to air our grievances in front of strangers, though. Can we. . .can we go somewhere and talk it out?

It was a shot from the hip, one last try at diplomacy today.